BEST GREEK LEMON CHICKEN SOUP

The ultimate comfort food craving? A bowl of sunshine in the form of soup! This Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, also known as Avgolemono, is a symphony of bright citrus, tender chicken, and comforting rice, all swirled into a velvety, luscious broth that will warm you from the inside out, and I promise, this will become your go-to recipe for chilly days and beyond.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken & Broth:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• Salt to taste

For the Avgolemono (Lemon Sauce):

• 1/2 cup long-grain rice (uncooked), rinsed
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3-4 lemons), plus more to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Lemon wedges

Let’s Talk About The Magic of Avgolemono

Avgolemono is more than just a soup; it’s a culinary technique. It’s the heart and soul of this recipe, transforming a simple chicken broth into a creamy, dreamy elixir. The key is tempering the eggs properly to prevent scrambling. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it step-by-step!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Chicken & Broth:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken breasts, chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Shred the chicken using two forks.
4. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the strained broth to the pot.

Cooking the Rice:

5. Add the rinsed rice to the broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Making the Avgolemono (Lemon Sauce):

6. While the rice is cooking, prepare the avgolemono. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until light and frothy, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Gradually whisk in the lemon juice, a little at a time, until well combined.
8. This is the crucial part: Tempering the eggs! Slowly drizzle about 1 cup of the hot broth from the pot into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. This gradually raises the temperature of the egg mixture.
9. Pour the tempered egg-lemon mixture into the pot with the broth and rice. Stir gently to combine.
10. Heat the soup over low heat for just a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Be very careful not to boil the soup at this stage, as it can cause the eggs to curdle. You just want to gently warm it through.

Final Touches:

11. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and stir to combine.
12. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and more lemon juice, if desired. Remember, the lemon flavor should be prominent but balanced.
13. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, dill, and lemon wedges, if desired.
14. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the BEST Avgolemono

• Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t compare to the bright, vibrant flavor of fresh lemon juice.
• Rinse the Rice: Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which prevents the soup from becoming too thick and gummy.
• Low and Slow: Patience is key when making avgolemono. Tempering the eggs slowly and gently heating the soup prevents curdling.
• Don’t Boil! Seriously, don’t boil the soup after adding the avgolemono. It’s the quickest way to ruin your beautiful soup.
• Adjust to Taste: Lemon preferences vary. Start with 1/2 cup of lemon juice and add more to taste until you reach your desired level of tanginess.
• Broth Quality: Using a good quality chicken broth is essential for a flavorful soup. Homemade is always best, but store-bought low-sodium broth works well too.

Variations & Substitutions

• Protein: Feel free to use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even turkey in this soup.
• Rice: You can substitute the long-grain rice with orzo pasta for a slightly different texture. If you love orzo, you might want to try Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup or even Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
• Vegetables: Add other vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or green beans for extra nutrients.
• Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like oregano or rosemary for a unique flavor profile.
• Creamy Version: For a richer soup, stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or Greek yogurt at the end.

Serving Suggestions

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is delicious on its own as a light lunch or dinner. It also pairs well with:

• A side of crusty bread for dipping
• A Greek salad with feta cheese and olives
• Grilled pita bread with hummus

Storing & Reheating

Storing: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup may thicken as it sits, but you can easily thin it out with a little broth or water when reheating.

Reheating: Gently reheat the soup over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the eggs to curdle.

Why This Soup is Good For You

Besides being incredibly delicious and comforting, Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is also packed with nutrients! Chicken provides protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues. The broth is hydrating and soothing, perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather. The lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. Plus, the vegetables add vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If you’re looking for another soup that’s good for you, try Italian Penicillin Soup or even Italian Penicillin Soup.

If you are looking for something that will warm you from the inside out, but with a different flair, try Potsticker Soup or even Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.

Enjoy Your Homemade Greek Lemon Chicken Soup!

There you have it! A simple, yet incredibly flavorful recipe for Greek Lemon Chicken Soup that will warm your heart and soul. Don’t be intimidated by the avgolemono – with a little patience and my tips, you’ll be whipping up this comforting soup in no time. Kali Orexi!